9 April 2010.. Pre-10K meal

My brother and our buddy decided to join me in this years Seal Beach 5/10K race event.  This would my 2nd year in a row and their first.  When it comes down to preparation,  training is training, which means a lot of jogging in order to get your muscles & stamina physically ready, and eating right in order for all that training to work.

I'm not going to get into what it takes to eat right when preparing for a 10K, or what my diet was before this race but I am going to show you guys what a pre-10K post meal should be like =)  It was my idea for the 3 of us to go out and carb up so we'll be ready for the race in the morning, but it was my brothers pick and a GOOD ONE!

Dinner was set at Trattoria Limone on Orange ave and Wardlow road.  I've been driving past this intersection for years and I never knew this place existed until last year when my buddy got me a gift certificate for this place. This restaurant has to rank up as one of the best Italian eatery's in LB.  If any of you guys are thinking about having Olive Garden, pass on that and go to Trattoria Limone! You'll love it!

So here's what we got!

Free bread!

For starters.. free bread that is absolutely delicious! Probably one of the best restaurants I've been to that offers really good free bread.  I don't even know what kind of bread they use but I do know that half of it comes with bread, butter, and garlic.  And the other half comes with bread, mozzarella cheese, butter, garlic, and tomato's.  I like the right side more=) Tip.. make sure to get another plate of bread when you can.. hey it's free!

   Penne Al Compleanno -

andouille sausage, peppers, chicken, shrimp, and spicy pink sauce

This was my buddies plate and it looked awesome! I tried some w/o any of the sausage, chicken or shrimp but the pink sauce was really tasty in the pasta.  

Salmon w/ penne

This is what my brother got and it didn't come with cheese because he doesn't like cheese.  I tried some of it and I actually thought cheese was the only thing this thing was missing.  Fish and pasta is always a good combination but I wasn't in the mood for seafood, especially on this Friday because we can finally eat MEAT on a Friday!

Shrimp Ravioli

This is what my sister in law got.  She was suppose to jog the 5K but she got injured during her training.  But that doesn't mean she still can't have dinner with us. haha.. If you like Ravioli, I suggest you go with this plate because it was a hit.  She gave me a piece and inside the ravioli was chopped up shrimp and crab I think.  I might be wrong but every bite was very seafoody.. really good and not that heavy.

 Fettucine alla Carbonara -

w/ bacon, chicken, and creamy sauce

This was my plate it was BOMB! a lot of bacon was added on this and I think it might have had too much bacon because it was bit salty which was my only complaint about it.  Don't get me wrong, I love bacon but I think it made it just a little too salty.  But still good!! Just drink a lot of water with it. haha.  Originally this plate is served w/o chicken but I added it on there for an additional $3.  The chicken was grilled perfectly and complimented the bacon well.  I didn't have to add pepper to it, just parmesan cheese and that was it!  I pretty much killed this plate.. haha.  Very filling indeed and satisfying!  When I go back, I think I'll add shrimp instead of chicken because I'm curious how that Carbonara combination will taste like.

No dessert tonight guys.. carbs only because we all had a 10K to do..

Trattoria Limone

3405 Orange Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90806

562-424-3752

9 April 2010.. 10k eve

Another 10K for me only means one thing.. PRE and POST meals! =) A food entry and pictures will be up very soon and it's going to make you hungry!

I wanted to show off my new Bib #:

(taken from an iPhone)

I'm starting to grow a little collection of Race Bibs over the past 2yrs, and this years Seal Beach 10k just added another to it!

Officials times haven't been posted yet but according to my timing, I came in around 59min 30 sec.

PRE and POST meals will be up soon!!!

27 June 2008.. Throwback..

Once in awhile I'll be posting pictures and talking about different foods I've encountered in the past like this entry.. Back in time!

So almost 2yrs ago, my gf and I went to LEGOLAND in San Diego with my sister and her family.  More like North County San Diego/Carlsbad.. Anyways, my sister and my brother in law have been hyping up this so called "cinnamon apple fries" so of course I've gotta try it =) Yes yes yes!! it lived up to their hype!! from what I remember, my gf and I ordered another 1 right away.. haha.

here's what lived up to the hype:

(taken from a NOKIA N73)
Cinnamon Apple Fries - LEGOLAND

If you like applie pie, you'll like this.. if you like french fries, you'll like this.. if you like cinnamon, you'll like this. If you don't like neither of those, don't even bother making the trip to LEGOLAND! haha j/k.. LEGOLAND was pretty fun actually.. but I'd still pick Disneyland over it =)  

This year is flying by FAST! and it's coming up to almost 2yrs since I've been to LEGOLAND.. I've gotta plan a visit back because I miss these fries! 

4 April 2010.. Easter Lunch

Happy Easter everyone!! and you know what that means.. Mad Fooooooooooood!! Easter Sunday was spent at my sisters house and there was plenty of it! I definitely brought my appetite today=) Btw.. I'm sure most of you guys felt the 7.2 earthquake that was centered around MexiCali!! wasn't that long??! My siblings and I were all gathered around the dining room table when the rolling begin. Eventually we all went to the backyard and the rolling was still going on! wow.. I begin to wonder if this was going to be the big one but it never got stronger.  Thank the lord my family and I were all safe.. all of you were safe.. and to many others on this Easter Sunday.

Now to the food, I wasn't able to take pictures of everything that was there, and the lighting was tough so I did my best.. get hungry!

Lasagna

Moms Lasagna.. always a hit!

Shrimp

Ham

BBQ

My brother in laws BBQ was really good! I don't remember what he used to marinate it in but I do know he had it sitting for 2 days.  Well worth the sit!! I don't know how many sticks I had but I had a lot!!

Sweet Corn

I don't think I ever tried my brother in laws Sweet Corn but I like it! Really sweet! This made a nice transition between meal into dessert =)

What desserts?????

Red Velvet - Costco

Angle #1

Angle #2

My brother's  family brought this and you can never go wrong w/ cakes from Costco.  I thought this was actually good, the only thing was that it wasn't moist enough for my taste.. but it still found its way into my Bell-lay!

Tiramisu - gf and I made

Angle #1

My gf and I made this the night before and later added the powdered sugar before it was served.  I think our Tiramisu is getting better and better every time we make it.  Tiramisu consist of dark rum and we always try not to make it that strong and this time we nailed it.  It was a hit!!! Killed by the end of the evening!! I'm glad everyone enjoyed it, I just wish everyone reading this blog could have tried some.

Angle #2

Angle #3

Since my gf and I made the Tiramisu, I think it deserves another angle!! this was one of my slices that I took a picture of.  Mmmmmm MMMmm!! =)

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter, despite of the earthquake.. I know I did =) Being w/ family and watching the kids have their Easter Egg hunt was the best!.. Now go eat!!

3 April 2010.. Noon

I started off the this nice spring morning w/ a 6.2mi jog around Seal Beach w/ my brother and our buddie.  We did a nice smooth pace that took us about 1hr 5min.

Since it was a nice day, I decided to take my puppy girl to the dog park:

Hershey girl chillen w/ the wind blowing in her face!

My friends brought their dogs and here they are sniffing each other!

That's all for now, time to take a nap before my gf and I make TIRAMISU tonight!! pictures will be up soon!

Happy Easter everyone!

22 March 2010.. they have Arrived!

Before my graduation on 26 Feb 2010, my gf asked me what kinda gift would I like as a graduation present and I told her "design me a KOBE V on NikeID.com, be creative" and right away she thought that was a good idea.  Not only would it be cool present because I'm a big fan of the new Nike Zoom KOBE V's as you all know, but it gets my gf more involved in designing the shoe, rather than just buying an available color at Footlocker or something.  She designed the shoe and ordered on 27 Feb. 

Here's the final Nike ID design after the order was placed:

It normally takes up to a month before the final product is shipped to your address when ordering a Nike ID shoe.  Nike ID provides a fun and easy way for you to customize and purchase specific Nike shoes that are available to design.  The Nike ID website transforms you into a designer, allowing you to apply your choice of colors and materials on a specific shoe.  Pretty cool huh? The Nike ID has been available since 1999 and since then I've only ordered one and that was the Nike Zoom KOBE IV's. 

So after 24 days, they have Arrived!

Nike Zoom KOBE V IDs

BLK/MIDNIGHT BLUE-GREY w/ Clear Soles & Kobe code pattern

I was like WOW when I first opened the box.. They look a lot better than they did on the site and the Midnight Blue is really dark.  In dark lighting, the whole shoe looks all black.  My gf put RR in grey for my initials which was cool but I wish the letters weren't so big.  Damn!! what a sweet design my gf made! (THANK YOU!!!) Blk and Midnight Blue! She's a big Spurs fan and I'm surprised she didn't go with their team colors, but it's cool.. these are NICE!! I'd like to refer to these as my Zoom KOBE V "Midnights"


Here's more angles:

Ohh and how I mentioned that I've only ordered 1 Nike ID before, here they are:

Nike Zoom KOBE IV IDs

BLK/VARSITY PURPLE-GOLD-WHT

I ordered these in the summer of 2008 and the one thing I kinda regret was not going with an all black sole bottom or clear bottom.  I have no problem with the white because it makes the shoe look really clean, its just that the black or clear would've been easier to maintain.

Here's both the V IDs & IV IDs in one shot:

Nike ID can be a fun and addicting site because you can design and create so many colors, AND you can save them in your account Locker.  The only drawback to ordering a Nike ID shoe is the retail cost of them.  The Zoom KOBE V IDs retailed at $165, about $35 over the retail cost.. and if you create a new account, you get free shipping! =) Now you know why I've only ordered once on Nike ID, because the price tag is high! but sometimes, JUST DO IT.


www.nikeid.com

21 March 2010.. Breakfast

My gf and I finally had breakfast @ 9:50am in the morning.. yeah finally because we've both been awake since 4:45am!! yes that early!! I signed up for the Newport Beach "Spirit Run" 15K race event back in January, so we had to be there by 6am so I could find parking, pick up my race bib numbers, and stretch before the 7am event.  I had to run a 10K @ 7am and a 5K @ 8:30am.. I kinda went into this race wing'n it because I didn't really train, or take the preparation seriously towards it but hey.. I did both in a combined time of 1hr 34min.. not bad for not really training =P

So anyways.. big ups to my gf for waking up early, going w/ me and waiting in the cold while I jogged.  Thank you for your support!!  I knew she was really cold and hungry after my 5K was finished because she told me! and boy did she tell me how she felt! haha..

So... breakfast was going to be back in Long Beach on 4th st. @ a place called Coffee Cup Cafe.  My sister in law has gone here a few times this year and so we've been curious about her hype.  And we weren't  disappointed at all!

Parking is little tough over there but eventually you find a spot, you may have to park a little far but it'll be worth the walk.  You have to walk in and sign your name on the waiting list, and actually our wait wasn't that long.  Probably about 20-25mins. even though there was a little crowd of people waiting to be called.  When I first walked in.. It was a good vibe ya know.. that sorta feeling at home with good friends kinda vibe.  If I'm going out for breakfast, this is the kinda vibe I want.. Not that Denny's bullshit.

So finally the hunger was met!

Scrambler w/ fruit

This was my gfs plate.. I didn't bring my camera this morning so my gf busted out her photography skills w/ her Canon that takes pretty damn good pictures and produced these!  I think her only complaint about her dish was that it didn't have enough eggs and she was right, if you look closely there's barely any eggs.  I'm a fan of scramblers so this was obviously yummy to me.

Sausage on the side

E. 4th st French Toast

MMM...mmmm MMM!!! This was my plate and if you like French Toast a lot, I say you head off to Coffee Cup Cafe asap and order this shit!! I thought the French Toast Finale @ Pie Company off Katella and Walker st. was the best but this probably has to be right up there with it.  Omg!! Each bit was amazing as it was smothered it in syrup! =) For all those carbs I burned in the morning, this was the perfect meal to refuel myself.  Each toast has cream cheese inside the bread! not like your typical french toast where you would have to ad the cream cheese on to it, this shit had it inside =)  I know I sound like a chubby guy right now but so what if I am.. =P This french toast had cinnamon, powdered sugar, and butter.  Isn't that perfect!! 

Side of Bacon

Our first experience(but not the last) of Coffee Cup Cafe will be a memorable one.  For me that it is because that french toast was OHHHHH WEEEEE!! And finally my gf wasn't hungry anymore but she wasn't quite happy yet because she was now sleeeeeeeepy!!! I got her to breakfast quick.. now it was time to get her home quick so she can nap!  As for me.. I knew I'd be back again to see my E. 4th st. French Toast soon!

Coffee Cup Cafe

3734 E 4th St
Long Beach, CA 90814

(562) 433-3292